Immigration Myths You’ve Probably Heard (and Why They’re Wrong)

Conversations about immigration in the U.S. are often shaped by misinformation. Certain myths are repeated so often they sound like facts, but the data tells a different story. Let’s break down a few common myths.  

Myth: The U.S. is overrun with immigrants

The United States is a nation of immigrants. It is true that, in absolute numbers, the U.S. has more immigrants than any other country. However, it’s important to consider that data in context. The U.S. has a lower percentage of immigrants in its total population than many other countries.  

The proportion of immigrants in the U.S. today is also not unusual by historical standards; it is comparable to what it was in the 1920s.

Myth: There’s a border crisis

Many people will tell you they don’t have a problem with immigrants, just the “illegal ones” who do things the wrong way. This is a common political message, especially since Trump spent his first campaign peddling the idea that we need to “build a wall.” However, the DHS found no net growth in the number of undocumented immigrants between 2006 and 2022.  

In fact, the number of Latino immigrants living in the United States has plateaued in recent years. This is partly because the opportunity gap between their home countries and the U.S. has gotten smaller.  

It's true that legal immigration pathways are extremely limited, so some people cross the border without authorization. But the majority of undocumented immigrants didn’t enter through the Southern border at all, many of them came on visas and overstayed.

Myth: Immigrants are criminals

The idea that immigration drives crime simply isn’t supported by the data. Despite rampant racial profiling and xenophobia, immigrants (whether documented or undocumented) are still 60 percent less likely to be incarcerated than people born in the U.S. They’re also less likely to commit a crime or be arrested.

Furthermore, “sanctuary cities” with policies that protect immigrants actually have lower crime rates than other cities.  

Myth: They’re taking American jobs

The idea that immigrants “steal jobs” is not really how the labor market works.  

Like anyone else, immigrants exchange money for goods and services. They buy food, pay rent, use transportation, and contribute to economy. Their spending supports businesses and creates a demand for more jobs.  

Most studies show that, in the long term, immigration has either a positive or neutral effect on the wages and employment rates of people born in the U.S.  

Why do myths persist?

Anti-immigrant rhetoric is clearly rooted in xenophobia and racism. But a lot of it also stems from confusion, fear, and the way information spreads.  

George W. Bush’s popularity rose substantially after 9/11, and Donald Trump’s approval rating briefly spiked at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Something about a crisis leaves people looking for community and leadership to trust in. Concerns about the economic stability, violent crime, or shifting cultural values will leave people looking for easy answers and someone to blame.  

Media also plays a role. Mundane stories about immigrants going about their day don’t make headlines, but cherrypicked examples of undocumented immigrants committing crimes will get a lot of attention.  

There’s selection bias in what we remember. If someone already believes immigrants are dangerous or drain the system, they’re more likely to notice news stories and anecdotes that confirm that belief and ignore the ones that don’t.  

Misinformation spreads easily online, especially when it taps into emotions like outrage and fear. Immigration myths thrive in that environment, even when they’re debunked over and over again.  

Immigration has shaped the United States from the beginning, and it continues to do so today. Correcting misinformation won’t fix everything, but it’s a necessary step forwards towards a more functional country. We owe it to each other to separate fact from fiction.  

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